Martin Braithwaite believes he will play an important part under Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona.
Braithwaite has missed much of this season through a serious knee injury, and he is not expected back until the new year.
The Dane started all three of Barcelona‘s first three games of the season, but his injury is a big setback.
And the timing couldn’t be worse, given the striker won’t have the chance to impress his new boss Xavi early in his reign.
But Braithwaite says he has already spoken to Xavi, and after that conversation, he feels he can play an ‘important’ role for the club when he does eventually return.
“Now, I am trying to return soon, but I am going to have an important role when I return,” he told Marca.
“I have spoken with him (Xavi), he is clear what he wants to do and what he wants to change.
“He knows how he wants to play with safety. It will be very exciting.”
Braithwaite was given plenty of game time last season, but much of it was off the bench.
He made 29 La Liga appearances in all, but only starting 11, making 18 more appearances off the bench.
Though, this is now a significantly weaker Barcelona squad, and the Denmark international may well have more opportunities to impress.
